Post by davidhr on Oct 17, 2017 8:31:47 GMT -5
Another week with many events promotional interviews, album reviews, etc. – so another long News Update. But at least only in one part! 
This past week Lara returned to Canada as a place of residence for the first time this century, in association with her new position as a coach/judge on the Quebecois version of The Voice (La Voix). As she indicated in interviews last week, she will be there, off and on, for the next 6-8 months, and, with her family alongside, will be looking for a home to rent. And who knows…with her ties to Belgium as a place to live full-time having already been cut with her move to Spain last December, and Lara’s avowed love for Quebec/Montreal, it does not seem outlandish to suggest that she might make residence there more than a temporary thing. See also Lara’s interview with ‘Le Soir’, below.
Lara (or her Team) left the following (translated) announcement on her FB site: “Be part of the adventure of La Voix 6 with Lara as "coach", as an assistant for the blind auditions! Tickets are already available here: bit.ly/LaVoix6Billets
Hurry up!” Accompanying this is the official logo picture for the program,
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/1761378697236953/?type=3&theater
and also, Lara posted the following picture on her Instagram site, with the comment “It begins”.
Lara’s Team also indicated that with Lara now on the North American continent, the promotion in Canada for the new album would start in earnest. That’s bound to be a bit tricky. They had previously indicated that promoting an English language album in Quebec was somewhat risky (even for Celine Dion); have they changed their minds, and/or does Lara’s involvement with ‘La Voix’ give her a ‘get-out-of-jail free’ card with that French speaking province? Will there be any promotion for English –speaking Canada? There have been statements made several times that there will be a concert in Montreal (though it’s yet to be officially scheduled); as for the rest of the country (as in all places) it is up to the local promoters to provide opportunities, and that may not have been forthcoming. One must say, it is an odd time for her to be reinvigorating her Quebecois presence, with an English language album under her arm. - but that’s apparently when the opportunity arose. The physical CD has not yet been released in Canada and one person indicated it won’t be until October 27th.
As for the U.S. promotion – so far it has been mostly invisible, despite these months being listed in ‘their plan’ as the time for it. One picture that was recently posted was of the Beacon Theater in NYC, advertising Lara’s upcoming show there,
www.facebook.com/lara.fabian.usa2018/photos/a.1778871408853637.1073741829.1712095368864575/1803861693021275/?type=3&theater
However, there has been nothing about the album, and not surprisingly, it seems to have so far passed by without notice, e.g., not appearing on any of the U.S. Billboard charts, nor have their been notable reviews in American publications. So far at least, it is as if this English language album has been made primarily for a European audience; old habits die hard, apparently. At least amazon.com now has the physical CD, and it is available for the normal price with the normal shipping time. There are still a number of months before the U.S. concerts – five officially, but from what Lara said (mentioning Las Vegas and San Francisco), that number may be increased. So there is still time for promotion of them, as well as the album, and with Lara now having more of a North American presence, one can hope it will be forthcoming. It may depend on the familiarity of Lara’s Team with the workings of the U.S. entertainment network, and without the help of an established record company, those connections may not be something they can easily accomplish.
As obvious from all of the translated interviews in last week’s News Update, the promotion so far had a heavy focus in France and Belgium, and that does seem to have borne fruit. Lara’s album entered the Belgian (French) chart at #4, and even the Belgian (Flemish) chart at #57 (possibly due to her attention to and duet with Natalia in the past year), while in France it entered the charts at #12. We’ll see where it goes and whether, with its English language tracks, it has ‘legs’. [It reminds one of the old saying about the definition of a ‘country music song’ as, “something sung by a country music singer” (regardless of what it is). Perhaps Lara will be a ‘French singer’ (and only that) regardless of what she sings!]. In a way of emphasis of this point, Lara released a French language version of “The Making of Camouflage”, available at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MudBatQRtbk&feature=youtu.be
Additional promotional elements were broadcast from Germany. As is now becoming routine, Lara and Moh Denebi performed the acoustic version of “We Are the Flyers” on the ARD network from Brandenburg, available at:
www.ardmediathek.de/radio/Interviews/Lara-Fabian-live-We-are-the-flyers/Antenne-Brandenburg/Video?bcastId=23667072&documentId=46839740
The acoustic version looks like, in effect, it is the music video for this ‘third single’. Perhaps Lara and her Team feel it is the most accessible song for an acoustic presentation – and it has gotten great reviews. In fact, on her FB site today, Lara asked the question:“Which song from "Camouflage" should we choose as next single? Tell me what you think.” One feels they already have made that decision, although at one time Chameleon was also being mentioned.
There were also some other German programs, which are, not surprisingly, mostly in German, e.g.,
www.mdr.de/brisant/video-neues-album-lara-fabian-100.html
and
www.ardmediathek.de/radio/Interviews/Lara-Fabian/Antenne-Brandenburg/Video?bcastId=23667072&documentId=46833018
plus articles that just carry the basic publicity info, e.g.,
www.sr.de/sr/sr1/musik/sr_1_cd-tipps/lara_fabian_camouflage_sonymusic102.html
The album is getting some traction in a few of the other countries that Lara visits routinely. As of yesterday, on iTunes it was #2 in the Czech Republic, #24 in Kyrgyzstan (where it continues to do amazingly well),and #68 in Russia.
There were some additional European promotional press events that became available this past week. There was another interview subject in “The Closer” not covered in last week’s News Updates, concerning “Tout” and “Je t’aime” (https://www.closermag.fr/people/lara-fabian-20-ans-apres-elle-parle-de-ses-tubes-tout-et-je-t-aime-753676). Here’s the translation:
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Lara Fabian: 20 years later, she talks about her hits "Tout" and "Je t'aime"
INTERVIEW - On the occasion of the release of her new album "Camouflage", Lara Fabian confides in "Closer" and returns on the anniversary of the 20 years of the release of the hits "Je t'aime" and "Tout".
Closer: This year marks the 20th anniversary of the release of your Pure album in France and the beginning of your success in Europe. What is your view on these two decades?
Lara Fabian: What a great journey! After that, I'm not at all a girl who turns around. I am not at all backward looking, nor nostalgic. I do not like regrets, I do not like nostalgia ...
Not even the good memories?
LF: Yes Yes! But I was perhaps talking about the somewhat negative aspect of turning around. I like to look in front of me, I take a look on it a little childishly. What comes to mind is: go, we leave for the second half (laughs).
A memory to keep?
LF: Picking only one is difficult but I would still tell you the Arena of Nimes on August 11, 2000 with the public who for the first time transforms my song ‘Je t'aime’ and sings ‘On t'aime’.
And the duet with Johnny Hallyday at Stade de France 1998?
LF: Also! Also! That was one of the first things that came to my mind. I would have told you so too.
Do you have news or not at all?
LF: (Smile) It got to me once in a while, through Laeticia.
A project to sing again together?
LF: Not at the moment...
‘Je t’aime’ is perhaps the song that represents the most this period, while it is ‘Tout’ that revealed you ...
LF: It is true that it is ‘Tout that revealed me but it is ’Je t’aime’ that consolidated this position and especially, ‘Je t’aime’ has become a kind of hymn. And everywhere. what is astounding is that wherever I go, whatever the language of the country I go to, people know ‘Je t’aime’. I find it magical that French can translate to so many cultures, in a way so immutably.
It's been a long time since you sang ‘Tout’ ...
LF: It was in 2009 I think? No, in 2005 you are right. The last time I sang ‘Tout’, it was on the tour Un Regard 9. Yes, 2005, it's true ...
That's the kind of song one sang too much?
LF: Bah not because, look, I keep singing ‘Je t’aime’. Maybe sometimes in the tour of singing when I consider all the songs I say to myself: "Well, I will prefer ‘J’y crois encore’ or ‘Tu es mon autre’ or ‘Immortelle’. That's right, you're right, I should think about it.
It made me think of Patricia Kaas who includes a live version of her hit ‘Mademoiselle chante le blues’ in all her best-of because she finds that the arrangements of the studio version sound too 1988, so I wondered if it was the same for you.
LF: Oh no. It is true that it is (anchored in a period) but it is also the beauty of things. But yes I should put it back in the repertoire, it's true.
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The famous Nimes video is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFxW8y7eUhM.
Those who have followed these News Updates know that we have often questioned why ‘Tout’ has dropped out of sight, as it was her most successful single (in terms of sales). For example, most recently from the News Update for 4-17-17, first from ‘Charts in France’ celebrating the 20 year anniversary of the song:
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"Tout" remains one of the great hits of Lara Fabian's career as well as one of the nuggets of the album "Pure", published in September 1996 in Canada but in June 1997 in France. From this album written with four hands with Rick Allison, the great love of her life, will be born the inescapable "Je t’aime" and "La difference", beautiful hymn to the love for all. But it's "Tout" that will slip to the highest in the charts! The song, whose refrain highlights the exceptional vocal power of the singer, will spend 19 weeks in a row in the top 10, ranking 4th in her best form. Impossible to have forgotten her heartbreaking words: "Everything, everything / Everything is finished between us / I don't have the strength anymore at all/ to believe and to hope…”
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And then the comment we added:
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This does raise the issue we’ve brought up previously: what has happened to this song, the ‘best selling French single’ Lara has ever produced? Why is it no longer in her repertoire? Songs do fall out of fashion with performers, and that’s understandable, but a lot of her songs have not (e.g., J’y croire encore), and yet this wonderful song has not been sung live since 2011. Even then, Lara continually played around with it, changing it, for example performing a bossa nova version among others. With the English album coming up, there’s little likelihood we will see it again soon, but given its exalted status, commercially (Charts in France lists it as having sold 600,000 copies), one would think it would appeal to an audience both old and new. Maybe Lara no longer likes the sentiment of the words, but even she admitted recently that this was the song that opened up the doors for her in France. Hopefully (with the recent Easter holiday in mind), it will have its own resurrection .
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If it does get added to her concert repertoire, it will probably not be before the next French language tour, although Lara did say that in some select places she will add a few French songs to her setlist – so maybe it will happen sooner.
Some comments Lara made in the other portions of the ‘Closer’ article have been getting attention in the press, even in Canada. Here’s an article from the Quebec Times (https://theqtimes.com/lara-fabian-explains-why-she-will-never-to-it-is-not-lying-here/24606)
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LARA FABIAN EXPLAINS WHY SHE WILL NEVER DO “On n'est pas couché” - HERE
October 15, 2017 | Entertainment
Lara Fabian is not ready to make all the TV shows to promote her albums, the singer carefully selects the programs in which she appears.
A new challenge soon awaits Lara Fabian. The singer has been chosen to integrate the jury of La Voix, the Quebec version of the show The Voice. Alongside Garou who knows talent shows very well, she will have to convince artists to join her team. A new TV experience is very much expected by the singer of “Je t’aime”, who had already expressed her desire to integrate the adventure in France.
In the meantime while sitting in the swivel chair, Lara Fabian made the rounds of TV to promote her new album Camouflage. If defending her new songs is necessary, she is not, however, ready to show her head just anywhere. For example, you will never see her in the show “On n'est pas couché” presented by Laurent Ruquier on France 2. Not that she is scared by the reviews of Yann Moix and Christine Angot, she simply does not want to participate. In an interview for Closer, she explained: “It is an exercise which, I find, does not look like the music. I remain before all a musician, an author, a composer, and I approach my business, which is that of the craftsman. Then to go sit on a chair like this is not in harmony with what I do. “
The artist acknowledges that today this kind of program is a rite of passage to talk about her news, but she doesn’t want to force it, “I wouldn’t feel quite comfortable in these emissions-there,” she simply added. Lara Fabian has thought about the question, her positioning is clear, so it’s more than worthwhile to even believe it.
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To recapitulate what Lara said [reviewed at (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWRIMbNNuak)) in a segment called “ONPC” (On n’est pas couche)]: Lara explains why she doesn’t do her promo there:
She was asked, “Artists pass more and more on talk shows like with Laurent Ruquier in “On n’est pas couché” or with Thierry Ardisson in “Salut les terriens”. But we don’t see you there?”
She replied, “Because I don’t do it. Good, I have done “Tout le monde en parle” in 2005 but it is an exercise which, I find, doesn’t at all resemble music. I remain above all a musician, an author, a composer, I have an approach of my profession which is that of the artisan. Then to go sit in an armchair like that is not in harmony with what I do. And I know that they are unfortunately the last platforms that remain, I understand that. But I find it hard to tell myself that it is in these places that music must exist inevitably. I do not think these emissions are a danger. It is rather a matter of feeling or not in one’s place. I would simply not feel in my place.”
She was then asked, “Therefore one will not see you there speaking about ‘Camouflage’?
She replied, “But with Laurent we saw the Big Heads and everything went well, we laugh. I believe that each country, each culture, has its nature of expression in terms of media. Here in France, we love the talk shows, in Quebec one likes a little the Varieties, in Italy one loves emissions with pretty girls. Afterwards, it just makes you wonder or does one feel good. Me, I would not feel totally at ease on these programs.”
Lara used to do such shows regularly, e.g., “La Method Cauet”, where she was often the subject of jokes and ridicule. We (too) wondered, why did she put up with that? Apparently at that point she felt it was necessary for her career. Good for her for now refusing to do it. She said in a recent interview that she is now asking of herself, does she enjoy doing something, and only if the answer is yes does she then do it. A lesson for us all…And given her comments, it’s now even more unlikely that it would lead to a pleasant experience…
And then there was Lara’s interview in ‘Le Soir’ magazine, a Belgian publication, translated below (https://www.facebook.com/larafabianitalia/photos/a.1204800096202267.1073741861.164644456884508/1880246151990988/?type=3&theater):
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Lara Fabian “I’m going to stop being a spinning top”
A new album and a role of coach in the Quebecois version of “The Voice”, what better occasion to confide without ‘Camouflage’?
Since the announcement of the sickness of her mother, and of the ordeal she was going through, Lara Fabian had made herself very discreet. Here she is back with an album in English which, on music inspired by English pop, speaks of Camouflage as a strategy of survival but also, as is often the case with her, of resilience and of the price there is to pay to hope to get there one day. What is not said, on the other hand, is how much the prospect of her role as a coach in the Quebec version of The Voice fills her with happiness. She who, for all her life, has dreamed of nothing else than being a "passer on" of experiences and emotions.
On one of the songs of the album, “Perfect”, you explain that one does not need to be perfect in order to be loved. You didn’t know that already?
LF: The definition of love, it is someone who knows you very, very well but who loves you nevertheless. One doesn’t need to be perfect to be loved. That goes for oneself also. From the moment when we open ourselves to this faculty of loving, even a little bit, even a minute detail of what we are, we open the door to a great love, capable of un-knitting our pain. But that demands a lot of humility, of completely forgetting this egotistic aspect which makes us take pleasure in constantly revisiting our mistakes, to please ourselves. It is only by loving oneself in everything and for all, that one can hope to find someone who will do the same. To be loved even where we do not love ourselves, it's magic and that's what happened to me.
A little more than a year ago, you revealed that your mother was suffering from “dementia of Lewy bodies” and how that impacted your life. Would this album have been able to exist without this test?
LF: Today still, I don’t know if this event has rendered me stronger or weaker. There is a part of me that will never be able to accept what happened to my mother, but there is also a part of me who sees it as an immense lesson, on the taste that life should have at certain moments, on the choices that must absolutely be made, on all these impulses, those moments to which one forbids oneself to taste, when one should not.
We learned a few days ago that you were going to officiate as a coach in the sixth Quebecoise version of “The Voice”. Why this new adventure?
LF: I leave in a few days to install myself in Quebec. I have already found a school for my daughter. We will remain there probably until June of next year. I barely had time to prepare for it but it was a proposal that I simply could not refuse. All my life I’ve tried to be a ferryman [i.e., passer-on]. Old, I always see myself teaching, at the head of my own school of singing. I believe that it is an adventure made for me. I learned so much by doing this job. To sing, it is far from being sufficient, there is always a road to find between one’s art and oneself and those young people who tumble down into the profession, they are so unprepared. I believe it is also an adventure which arrives at a good moment. I am going to continue to write, to compose, to be on stage, but I am going to stop being a spinning top, always to the right and to the left. I have a desire to sit myself down and Quebec, which I love so much, seems to me to be the ideal place for that.
Francesca Caseri.
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So while Lara will only be staying in Quebec through June, she does see herself there in the future (as she’s said many times).
However…perhaps wanting to have it both ways…Lara gave this (translated) interview to CineTele Review in Belgium (https://www.cinetelerevue.be/actus/lara-fabian-je-reviendrai-habiter-un-jour-en-belgique):
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Lara Fabian: "I will come back to live one day in Belgium"
The singer, who no longer lives with us, has just released "Camouflage", her first album in English for more than 10 years.
What made you want to repeat the experience of a record in the language of Shakespeare? The taste of challenge?
LF: No, actually it's in my DNA. I have a grandpa who was born in Chicago. It's a language I've heard since I was a child. I also lived 15 years in Canada. English has always been present in my career. So I did not get up one morning telling myself that I wanted to remake an opus in English. On the other hand, musically, there was a real desire to be connected to what is most contemporary. We must evolve with the time. I came from the 90s, an era of songs with huge deployments, great arrangements. And even though I had a great success with this style of music, today, in terms of orientation, I wanted to go for something more electro-pop. I surrounded myself with a very gifted Swedish team that allowed me to move towards this style that I also listen to.
You lived here in Waterloo. You left Belgium at the end of last year to go to Marbella, Spain. For what reasons?
LF: I wanted to finish writing the album and for that, I needed light. So we left with my family. I sold my villa in Waterloo. But now I go back to Quebec, where I become a coach in the Canadian version of "The Voice", and then there will be the tour. Traveling is the nature of my life. And then I feel that it is the two or three years when it will move enormously. Afterwards, I will ask myself again, especially once Lou enters secondary school. But for now, she follows me wherever I go.
Is it not too difficult for her to change countries like that?
LF: No. She is cool. She's my heroine. In addition, she has an active pedagogy. She's a Montessorian. There are Montessori schools all over the world. And it's great, because it allows her to follow her schooling. After, of course, it's never easy to leave her girlfriends. But she has inherited a little globe-trotting soul ...
You might one day relocate to us?
LF: That's more than likely. Belgium is my roots. When I pass through the doors of Zaventem, my first reflex is to tell myself that I am at home.
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Finally, a German interview from an LGBT publication (thanks to the Lara Fabian Web site for the link (https://gay.ch/musik/interview-album-lara-fabian-camouflage-1); here’s the (google) translation:
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INTERVIEW / ALBUM:
Lara Fabian - Camouflage
INTERVIEW / ALBUM: Lara Fabian - Camouflage
Lara Fabian releases her brand new English-language album Camouflage on October 6th. With I Will Love Again, she has captured the charts all over the world. We met the singer / songwriter in Zurich, and she talked to us about her new album and about her hugely big LGBT fan base ...
The Canadian-Belgian hit singer has already sold more than 20 million records worldwide, and has been considered one of the most powerful voices in the music business since her hit I Will Love Again. Eurovision fans may know that Lara Fabian took part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1988, the same year as Celine Dion gave Switzerland the victory. The big career kick came however in the year 2000 with the single I Will Love Again which was immediately on the number one in the US Billboard Hot Dance club play charts and in many countries became a top 10 hit.
gay.ch: I Will Love Again was your first English-language single, which has hit the francophone borders for the first time. Why did you decide to release a single in English?
Lara Fabian: I've wanted to record an English-language album for a long time, which was made possible by the contract with Sony in the USA. Thanks to this deal, the single has finally become internationally famous.
Now you are back with your new album Camouflage with English songs at the start. Is there a plan when a French and when an English album will appear ... And do you have a preference, which language do you prefer to sing?
LF: No, that's the result. Just as it turned out that I recorded a song in Italian. I also have no preferences. I enjoy all languages.
Was it clear from the start that this album should go in a new direction, so pop with electronic sounds?
LF: Yes, so I chose Moh Denebi as an album partner. He was a producer, on the other hand we wrote the songs together. We were in the studio for a month until we've written the songs that fit the album.
Will you also put on club sound, or remixes?
LF: In any event. From the first single "Growing Wings" there is a club remix, produced by Offer Nissim.
What is the content of the new album?
LF: It is about today's time, what is going on around us in this world. I feel it as a very gloomy, difficult time in which we are living.
You've got a lot of fans from the LGBT community ...
LF: Yeah, and I'm very happy about it. I love my LGBT fans above all. For me, love always comes first, no matter what sexual orientation it is. I already wrote the song "La Différence" in 1996, which was about the same-sex love, which was also an "anti-homophobia anthem". Also in 2013, there was a song for the community. "Deux ils, deux elles" was about the marriage between two men and two women and the change in French legislation, that is, the opening of the marriage. In May 2013 the recognition of same-sex marriages was finally achieved in France.
You yourself have a daughter. Is she with you when you are on a promo or on tour?
LF: I have her with me when I go. She is nine and still attends school. We must take this into account ...
From time to time, you are compared to Céline Dion in the press. Does it disturb you?
LF: She is a wonderful singer and I admire her. It does not bother me at all to be compared with her. People now need their drawers to classify someone and we do not just have a similar voice, we both have our roots in Canada. There is an obvious comparison.
Then you would not stand in the way of a duet?
LF: You see that right. She can call me at any time.
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Somehow, neither we, nor Lara, really expect that to happen.
There were some more reviews of the album. First, from Poland (thanks to the Lara Fabian Web site for the link, zblogowani.pl/wpis/24950745/lara-fabian-camouflage-recenzja); here’s the (google) translation:
Lara Fabian "Camouflage" - REVIEW
October 14, 2017 Musical
Born in Belgium, Lara Fabian returns to the international scene with the 13th album CAMOUFLAGE.
The album consists of 12 English-language songs, written and composed by Lara, along with Moh Denebi (Sweden) and Sharon Vaughn (USA).
Moh Denebi is one of the eminent producers from Sweden. He is co-responsible for the album "Heal" by Loreen.
Sharon Vaughn (USA) is an award-winning American composer who has worked with such artists as Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Agnes and Boyzone.
Personally, I remember in 1999, Lara Fabian released "I Will Love Again". The track has become a big hit, and radio stations continue to play it. I like her very much!
Will this time Lara Fabian conquer radio stations with an English-language hit?
Review:
Overall Rating 8/10
1. Growing Wings
The first single to promote the album was # 1 on the album. Released on August 4, the piano ballad announces an album with a different sound than ever before. "Growing Wings" tells the story of someone who has to deal with a long list of trials and failures.
2. Chameleon
More brave and modern sounds. Although Lara's vocals catch both in verses and in the chorus, the electronics seem to dominate. The whole listens nicely, and "Chameleon" has the makings for a great remix, which can be played in most European discos.
3. If I Let You Love Me
The song is pleasant to the ear, but not very much a hit. I miss that power when it's not a ballad.
4. Choose What You Love Most
My favorite song on the album! When I heard it for the first time, it enchanted me. Great text, appropriate mood and brilliant refrain. Great idea for the second single!
5. We Are the Flyers
A quiet ballad with a guitar in the lead role. Perhaps we will hear it on the radio, due to her mood.
So come and hold me tight
Let's chance let’s dance on the wire
Don’t worry cause tonight
Tonight we are the flyers
6. Painting in the Rain
The beginning of the song did announce the appearance of rhythms like "Al Götur beni / Make Me Yours Tonight". A beautiful ballad, with every second gaining momentum.
I'll keep on painting in the rain
Over and over and over again
Making a masterpiece of stains
Painting my heart out
Out in the rain
7. Camouflage
The title song is not a camouflage, but a typical Lara Fabian ballad. But the whole thing sounds very modern. The song is about pain we do not see in others ... because they hide under proper camouflage. The singer wants to draw attention to those who need help, and we sometimes do not see it.
It isn’t funny to see people fall
Where is the humor when they hit the wall
Clowns get ready for their scars and bruises
When they paint that smile on their face
We never see the real, real pain
It hides behind the masquerade
For fear of crowd's applause dies out
If they see a tear roll down
8. I'm Breakable
I was wondering why "I'm Breakable" sounds a bit like a baby song. In the same way, the same singer. Listening to the lyrics, the song gained a lot of significance. It tells us about our weaknesses and sensitivity.
9. Keep the Animals Away
Another song, which is gaining momentum. An extraordinary story of sharing pain and beauty. My second favorite track on the album. I would recommend!
Sharing pain and beauty
Makes us who we are
Leaves us less defenseless
And brave against the dark
If we dare to raise our voices
And circle 'round the flame
Our dance will keep the animals away
10. We Are the Storm
Lots of electronics that does not sound as good as the previous ones.
11. Perfect
"Perfect" tells us that no one is perfect, but that all can give the most beautiful that comes from the heart. Very atmospheric ballad.
You don’t need to be the perfect thing
You don’t have to give me anything
Only all you can give from your heart
You do not need to be the perfect one
You're the closest I will ever come
Oh-oh nobody's perfect at all
Communify
Like the icing on the cake at the very end comes the most hit song from the album. "Communify" is a combination of modern pop, electronics and dance music. I feel that after this song it will suffice...
I did not expect Lara Fabian to release a full English album this year. And yet!
Camouflage combines beautiful Lara vocals with electro-pop, resulting in a modern and timeless album. I missed the last such CD on the European music market.
Due to the few songs I have loved, I will often return to "Camouflage".
I appreciate the album, 8 out of 10!
Although Lara Fabian has already canceled the concert in Krakow twice, during the new concert tour ... will not appear in Poland. Could the Polish fans have offended the Belgian?
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If you remember, Lara cancelled her three concerts for last February in Poland, due to “changes in planning”; and this was after she cancelled her concerts there for May 2016, due to a ‘new opportunity’ (perhaps to work on the English album, although she was the featured guest at the ‘Doudou’ in Mons, Belgium at that same time). Lara’s Team will say that if there is no concert in Poland, it is because promoters have not offered them an acceptable package; but if they don’t, perhaps it’s because they have been disappointed the last few times they did. Nevertheless…this is a good review!
In contrast, here’s a (google translated) review from a German publication (http://www.mucke-und-mehr.de/cgi-bin/rezshow.pl?wert=fabiancamouflage):
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Lara Fabian: Camouflage (CD, Jazzhaus Records, 2017)
Lara Fabian is a great star in the French-speaking world, where, in the 26 years of her career, she has released many pop and chanson albums, with which she almost always reached the top ten of the charts, in France with three number one - prominently, in her birthplace Belgium with six top positions even more successful. The Belgian-Canadian singer and songwriter has already sold over 20 million albums worldwide, although her international career actually only picked up in 2000, when she also released "I Will Love Again" from her first English-language album. In Germany and the USA "Lara Fabian" could land as a small hit. Afterwards her second English-language longplayer was "A Wonderful Life".
After six French albums with their own songs, an attempt is now made to conquer the world, with her third English-language album "Camouflage", her 13th album in total. In 41 minutes you will find twelve pieces, which were developed by the Swedish producer Moh Danebi cleanly. With him and the American songwriter Sharon Vaughn together, nice pop songs have emerged, which can be heard well - but not more. A real earworm like the then "I Will Love Again" is not to be found, and even if everything fits vocal and sound, this time the international breakthrough is probably not going to happen either. The best songs on the album are the chill midtempo number "Growing Wings", the orchestral and the cozy acoustic "We Are The Flyers", for me the best song on the album. In general, Fabian's plays are all the more so, the less the sound of the music is pushed into the background. An album that you can listen to well, but do not have to.
Rating: 6 of 10
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And then a French review from La Parisian Life (http://www.laparisiennelife.com/2017/10/nous-avons-ecoute-le-nouvel-album-en-anglais-de-lara-fabian.html)
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WE LISTENED TO LARA FABIAN'S NEW ALBUM IN ENGLISH!
It is with "Camouflage" a new album all in English that the singer Lara Fabian returns to us a little less than two years after the publication of " Ma vie dans la tienne" which ranked in the Top 5 of the best sales in France and Belgium.
After selling more than 20 million albums worldwide, Lara Fabian has not had much to prove for a long time.
Announced by the title "Growing Wings", "Camouflage" is currently defended by “Choose What You Love Most".
For this 13th studio album which was recorded between Stockholm, Los Angeles and Brussels, Lara Fabian wrote twelve new songs that perfectly mix modernity and tradition and to do so, she is aided by Moh Denebi and Sharon Vaughn who wrote especially for Dolly Parton or for the boy band Boyzone .
Lara's voice combined with electronic and with productions worked with more classical orchestrations gives a timeless and really good record.
Our favorite songs are "Growing Wings", "Chameleon", "If I Let You Love Me", “Keep The Animals Away", "We Are The Storm" and "Communify".
For those who have prejudices about Lara Fabian , we would say to them that with “Camouflage", Lara is not necessarily where she is expected, and that it could surprise more than one in the good sense with this disc .
The artist will perform on June 16, 2018 on the Zenith stage in Paris.
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A shame that they have to continually tell people that Lara should not be stereotyped, but apparently that’s still the case. As Lara recently said, that’s how it is.
And finally (finally!) a review in English from the American publication ‘The Shield’ (https://usishield.com/26500/reviews/fabian-cant-camouflage-her-talent/)
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Fabian can’t ‘Camouflage’ her talent
Sarah Rogers, Features Editor October 10, 2017
Belgian-Canadian singer Lara Fabian released her album “Camouflage” Oct. 6. Having released 13 albums since she released her breakthrough album in 1994, “Camouflage” is only the fifth album Fabian has recorded in English.
Fabian is regarded as the best-selling Belgian female artist of all time but is relatively new to the American music scene.
Mixing classical orchestration, electro-pop and strings, the opposing forces surprisingly blend perfectly.
“Choose What You Love Most (Let It Kill You)” is probably my favorite song on the album. Fabian’s vocal ability is showcased in the song, proving just how powerful and astounding her range is.
The sound reminded me a little of the early years of Celine Dion. Fabian mirrors Dion’s dramatic and emotion-filled work, as well as the use of the more classical instruments.
Can we just talk about how fantastic violins are?
“Growing Wings” shows the diversity of Fabian’s sound. Much more contemporary than “Choose What You Love Most (Let It Kill You),” “Growing Wings” begins with Fabian’s voice and the piano, but quickly turns electronic.
The slow beat and far-away sound of Fabian’s voice give the song a mellow sound, and it stays at the same level pretty much the whole time. “Growing Wings” didn’t have a lot of diversity within the lyrics, and I am not a huge fan of the electro-pop stuff. It was a “meh” song, but her voice made up for what the song lacked.
In Fabian’s interview, “The Making of Camouflage”, Fabian said that while the classical style music should be preserved, the modern electronic sounds need to be utilized as well.
Fabian said that while the process of mixing the two sounds was a different world for her, it was very natural.
“Moe had me sitting, he just asked me to sit and he put a very close capture microphone in front of me,” Fabian said. “ So something that even if you whisper it gets recorded, it gets captured. And the result of that is that I was in my comfort zone most of the time, and it was most of the time effortless which was new to me.”
Fabian’s album is labeled as “pop” but I don’t think that does it justice. I will definitely be listening for more of Fabian’s music in the future.
Rating 3 stars out of 5.
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The comments would have suggested a higher rating, though the reviewer indicated she was not a huge fan of ‘electro-pop’, which is always going to be an issue for some reviewers (and fans). Actually, this is equivalently the same rating as from the German publication above, despite the very different impressions the articles give.
Overall, the impression one gets from reading the reviews already out is that Lara has done a really good job, and that all the different songs are favored by one reviewer or another, an indication of a strong disc up and down the tracklist. The major complaints relate to the choice to do an electro-pop album in the first place rather than power ballads.
In other news, Lara is getting additional publicity in Canada. In an article at (http://w8.maisondelaculture.ca/salle-odyssee/spectacles/varietes/top-passion.html), the Group Top Passion is “putting on a show called 'Cleopatra: le roi est une femme', an original musical comedy by Brigitte Trepanier and Yves Marchand which presents on stage the life of the great queen of Egypt, at the same time rendering homage to one of the great French singers, Lara Fabian. In effect, 13 songs of Lara Fabian will be integrated into the frame of the musical comedy together with 11 original songs of Yves Marchand who composed them for the show.” It will take place October 20 and 21 in ‘Le Maison de la culture’ of Gatineau, in western Quebec. An advertisement for it (thanks to the Lara Fabian est ton autre site) can be seen at:
www.facebook.com/larafabiantonautre/photos/a.646180015435666.1073741861.166959643357708/1466884253365234/?type=3&theater
Interesting ‘photo(s)’ of the week: first Lara’s short of her chic outfit on both Instagram and Twitter, with the caption “Look "Camouflage", at
or
And one of the best pictures of the year, taken from the Photo issue of the Swiss 'LeMatin.ch' (linked from the Lara Fabian Web site)
www.facebook.com/larafabianweb/photos/a.839662216049315.1073741827.246805652001644/1929273147088211/?type=3&theater
Then from the Freebirds Studio picture of Santina Vaccalluzzo, Lara with her Hair and Makeup people, at
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1587410851298072&set=a.1587410817964742.1073741982.100000875187644&type=3&theater
His artistic photo of Lara, seen at www.mw-encheres.com/html/fiche.jsp?id=7986026&np=1&lng=fr&npp=150&ordre&aff=1&r, will go on sale in Paris on 10/21. In addition, this coming week, Lara’s appearance on the “50 Preferred Songs of the French” will appear on French TV M6. Undoubtedly there will be more publicity for La Voix in Quebec – and hopefully for the new album as well! It might be the case that Lara’s Team has to make sure she doesn’t get so carried away with this new TV and teaching ‘adventure’ that the album gets lost in the shuffle! And it would be nice to see some promotion now in the U.S. as well. We’ll also find out how the album does in its second week on the French and Belgian charts, still her home base, even, apparently, for English songs.
David
This past week Lara returned to Canada as a place of residence for the first time this century, in association with her new position as a coach/judge on the Quebecois version of The Voice (La Voix). As she indicated in interviews last week, she will be there, off and on, for the next 6-8 months, and, with her family alongside, will be looking for a home to rent. And who knows…with her ties to Belgium as a place to live full-time having already been cut with her move to Spain last December, and Lara’s avowed love for Quebec/Montreal, it does not seem outlandish to suggest that she might make residence there more than a temporary thing. See also Lara’s interview with ‘Le Soir’, below.
Lara (or her Team) left the following (translated) announcement on her FB site: “Be part of the adventure of La Voix 6 with Lara as "coach", as an assistant for the blind auditions! Tickets are already available here: bit.ly/LaVoix6Billets
Hurry up!” Accompanying this is the official logo picture for the program,
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591/1761378697236953/?type=3&theater
and also, Lara posted the following picture on her Instagram site, with the comment “It begins”.
http://instagram.com/p/BaT-E6wnhuL
Lara’s Team also indicated that with Lara now on the North American continent, the promotion in Canada for the new album would start in earnest. That’s bound to be a bit tricky. They had previously indicated that promoting an English language album in Quebec was somewhat risky (even for Celine Dion); have they changed their minds, and/or does Lara’s involvement with ‘La Voix’ give her a ‘get-out-of-jail free’ card with that French speaking province? Will there be any promotion for English –speaking Canada? There have been statements made several times that there will be a concert in Montreal (though it’s yet to be officially scheduled); as for the rest of the country (as in all places) it is up to the local promoters to provide opportunities, and that may not have been forthcoming. One must say, it is an odd time for her to be reinvigorating her Quebecois presence, with an English language album under her arm.
- but that’s apparently when the opportunity arose. The physical CD has not yet been released in Canada and one person indicated it won’t be until October 27th. As for the U.S. promotion – so far it has been mostly invisible, despite these months being listed in ‘their plan’ as the time for it. One picture that was recently posted was of the Beacon Theater in NYC, advertising Lara’s upcoming show there,
www.facebook.com/lara.fabian.usa2018/photos/a.1778871408853637.1073741829.1712095368864575/1803861693021275/?type=3&theater
However, there has been nothing about the album, and not surprisingly, it seems to have so far passed by without notice, e.g., not appearing on any of the U.S. Billboard charts, nor have their been notable reviews in American publications. So far at least, it is as if this English language album has been made primarily for a European audience; old habits die hard, apparently. At least amazon.com now has the physical CD, and it is available for the normal price with the normal shipping time. There are still a number of months before the U.S. concerts – five officially, but from what Lara said (mentioning Las Vegas and San Francisco), that number may be increased. So there is still time for promotion of them, as well as the album, and with Lara now having more of a North American presence, one can hope it will be forthcoming. It may depend on the familiarity of Lara’s Team with the workings of the U.S. entertainment network, and without the help of an established record company, those connections may not be something they can easily accomplish.
As obvious from all of the translated interviews in last week’s News Update, the promotion so far had a heavy focus in France and Belgium, and that does seem to have borne fruit. Lara’s album entered the Belgian (French) chart at #4, and even the Belgian (Flemish) chart at #57 (possibly due to her attention to and duet with Natalia in the past year), while in France it entered the charts at #12. We’ll see where it goes and whether, with its English language tracks, it has ‘legs’. [It reminds one of the old saying about the definition of a ‘country music song’ as, “something sung by a country music singer” (regardless of what it is). Perhaps Lara will be a ‘French singer’ (and only that) regardless of what she sings!]. In a way of emphasis of this point, Lara released a French language version of “The Making of Camouflage”, available at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MudBatQRtbk&feature=youtu.be
Additional promotional elements were broadcast from Germany. As is now becoming routine, Lara and Moh Denebi performed the acoustic version of “We Are the Flyers” on the ARD network from Brandenburg, available at:
www.ardmediathek.de/radio/Interviews/Lara-Fabian-live-We-are-the-flyers/Antenne-Brandenburg/Video?bcastId=23667072&documentId=46839740
The acoustic version looks like, in effect, it is the music video for this ‘third single’. Perhaps Lara and her Team feel it is the most accessible song for an acoustic presentation – and it has gotten great reviews. In fact, on her FB site today, Lara asked the question:“Which song from "Camouflage" should we choose as next single? Tell me what you think.” One feels they already have made that decision, although at one time Chameleon was also being mentioned.
There were also some other German programs, which are, not surprisingly, mostly in German, e.g.,
www.mdr.de/brisant/video-neues-album-lara-fabian-100.html
and
www.ardmediathek.de/radio/Interviews/Lara-Fabian/Antenne-Brandenburg/Video?bcastId=23667072&documentId=46833018
plus articles that just carry the basic publicity info, e.g.,
www.sr.de/sr/sr1/musik/sr_1_cd-tipps/lara_fabian_camouflage_sonymusic102.html
The album is getting some traction in a few of the other countries that Lara visits routinely. As of yesterday, on iTunes it was #2 in the Czech Republic, #24 in Kyrgyzstan (where it continues to do amazingly well),and #68 in Russia.
There were some additional European promotional press events that became available this past week. There was another interview subject in “The Closer” not covered in last week’s News Updates, concerning “Tout” and “Je t’aime” (https://www.closermag.fr/people/lara-fabian-20-ans-apres-elle-parle-de-ses-tubes-tout-et-je-t-aime-753676). Here’s the translation:
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Lara Fabian: 20 years later, she talks about her hits "Tout" and "Je t'aime"
INTERVIEW - On the occasion of the release of her new album "Camouflage", Lara Fabian confides in "Closer" and returns on the anniversary of the 20 years of the release of the hits "Je t'aime" and "Tout".
Closer: This year marks the 20th anniversary of the release of your Pure album in France and the beginning of your success in Europe. What is your view on these two decades?
Lara Fabian: What a great journey! After that, I'm not at all a girl who turns around. I am not at all backward looking, nor nostalgic. I do not like regrets, I do not like nostalgia ...
Not even the good memories?
LF: Yes Yes! But I was perhaps talking about the somewhat negative aspect of turning around. I like to look in front of me, I take a look on it a little childishly. What comes to mind is: go, we leave for the second half (laughs).
A memory to keep?
LF: Picking only one is difficult but I would still tell you the Arena of Nimes on August 11, 2000 with the public who for the first time transforms my song ‘Je t'aime’ and sings ‘On t'aime’.
And the duet with Johnny Hallyday at Stade de France 1998?
LF: Also! Also! That was one of the first things that came to my mind. I would have told you so too.
Do you have news or not at all?
LF: (Smile) It got to me once in a while, through Laeticia.
A project to sing again together?
LF: Not at the moment...
‘Je t’aime’ is perhaps the song that represents the most this period, while it is ‘Tout’ that revealed you ...
LF: It is true that it is ‘Tout that revealed me but it is ’Je t’aime’ that consolidated this position and especially, ‘Je t’aime’ has become a kind of hymn. And everywhere. what is astounding is that wherever I go, whatever the language of the country I go to, people know ‘Je t’aime’. I find it magical that French can translate to so many cultures, in a way so immutably.
It's been a long time since you sang ‘Tout’ ...
LF: It was in 2009 I think? No, in 2005 you are right. The last time I sang ‘Tout’, it was on the tour Un Regard 9. Yes, 2005, it's true ...
That's the kind of song one sang too much?
LF: Bah not because, look, I keep singing ‘Je t’aime’. Maybe sometimes in the tour of singing when I consider all the songs I say to myself: "Well, I will prefer ‘J’y crois encore’ or ‘Tu es mon autre’ or ‘Immortelle’. That's right, you're right, I should think about it.
It made me think of Patricia Kaas who includes a live version of her hit ‘Mademoiselle chante le blues’ in all her best-of because she finds that the arrangements of the studio version sound too 1988, so I wondered if it was the same for you.
LF: Oh no. It is true that it is (anchored in a period) but it is also the beauty of things. But yes I should put it back in the repertoire, it's true.
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The famous Nimes video is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFxW8y7eUhM.
Those who have followed these News Updates know that we have often questioned why ‘Tout’ has dropped out of sight, as it was her most successful single (in terms of sales). For example, most recently from the News Update for 4-17-17, first from ‘Charts in France’ celebrating the 20 year anniversary of the song:
---------------------------------
"Tout" remains one of the great hits of Lara Fabian's career as well as one of the nuggets of the album "Pure", published in September 1996 in Canada but in June 1997 in France. From this album written with four hands with Rick Allison, the great love of her life, will be born the inescapable "Je t’aime" and "La difference", beautiful hymn to the love for all. But it's "Tout" that will slip to the highest in the charts! The song, whose refrain highlights the exceptional vocal power of the singer, will spend 19 weeks in a row in the top 10, ranking 4th in her best form. Impossible to have forgotten her heartbreaking words: "Everything, everything / Everything is finished between us / I don't have the strength anymore at all/ to believe and to hope…”
----------------------------------
And then the comment we added:
---------------------------
This does raise the issue we’ve brought up previously: what has happened to this song, the ‘best selling French single’ Lara has ever produced? Why is it no longer in her repertoire? Songs do fall out of fashion with performers, and that’s understandable, but a lot of her songs have not (e.g., J’y croire encore), and yet this wonderful song has not been sung live since 2011. Even then, Lara continually played around with it, changing it, for example performing a bossa nova version among others. With the English album coming up, there’s little likelihood we will see it again soon, but given its exalted status, commercially (Charts in France lists it as having sold 600,000 copies), one would think it would appeal to an audience both old and new. Maybe Lara no longer likes the sentiment of the words, but even she admitted recently that this was the song that opened up the doors for her in France. Hopefully (with the recent Easter holiday in mind), it will have its own resurrection
.----------------------------
If it does get added to her concert repertoire, it will probably not be before the next French language tour, although Lara did say that in some select places she will add a few French songs to her setlist – so maybe it will happen sooner.
Some comments Lara made in the other portions of the ‘Closer’ article have been getting attention in the press, even in Canada. Here’s an article from the Quebec Times (https://theqtimes.com/lara-fabian-explains-why-she-will-never-to-it-is-not-lying-here/24606)
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LARA FABIAN EXPLAINS WHY SHE WILL NEVER DO “On n'est pas couché” - HERE
October 15, 2017 | Entertainment
Lara Fabian is not ready to make all the TV shows to promote her albums, the singer carefully selects the programs in which she appears.
A new challenge soon awaits Lara Fabian. The singer has been chosen to integrate the jury of La Voix, the Quebec version of the show The Voice. Alongside Garou who knows talent shows very well, she will have to convince artists to join her team. A new TV experience is very much expected by the singer of “Je t’aime”, who had already expressed her desire to integrate the adventure in France.
In the meantime while sitting in the swivel chair, Lara Fabian made the rounds of TV to promote her new album Camouflage. If defending her new songs is necessary, she is not, however, ready to show her head just anywhere. For example, you will never see her in the show “On n'est pas couché” presented by Laurent Ruquier on France 2. Not that she is scared by the reviews of Yann Moix and Christine Angot, she simply does not want to participate. In an interview for Closer, she explained: “It is an exercise which, I find, does not look like the music. I remain before all a musician, an author, a composer, and I approach my business, which is that of the craftsman. Then to go sit on a chair like this is not in harmony with what I do. “
The artist acknowledges that today this kind of program is a rite of passage to talk about her news, but she doesn’t want to force it, “I wouldn’t feel quite comfortable in these emissions-there,” she simply added. Lara Fabian has thought about the question, her positioning is clear, so it’s more than worthwhile to even believe it.
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To recapitulate what Lara said [reviewed at (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWRIMbNNuak)) in a segment called “ONPC” (On n’est pas couche)]: Lara explains why she doesn’t do her promo there:
She was asked, “Artists pass more and more on talk shows like with Laurent Ruquier in “On n’est pas couché” or with Thierry Ardisson in “Salut les terriens”. But we don’t see you there?”
She replied, “Because I don’t do it. Good, I have done “Tout le monde en parle” in 2005 but it is an exercise which, I find, doesn’t at all resemble music. I remain above all a musician, an author, a composer, I have an approach of my profession which is that of the artisan. Then to go sit in an armchair like that is not in harmony with what I do. And I know that they are unfortunately the last platforms that remain, I understand that. But I find it hard to tell myself that it is in these places that music must exist inevitably. I do not think these emissions are a danger. It is rather a matter of feeling or not in one’s place. I would simply not feel in my place.”
She was then asked, “Therefore one will not see you there speaking about ‘Camouflage’?
She replied, “But with Laurent we saw the Big Heads and everything went well, we laugh. I believe that each country, each culture, has its nature of expression in terms of media. Here in France, we love the talk shows, in Quebec one likes a little the Varieties, in Italy one loves emissions with pretty girls. Afterwards, it just makes you wonder or does one feel good. Me, I would not feel totally at ease on these programs.”
Lara used to do such shows regularly, e.g., “La Method Cauet”, where she was often the subject of jokes and ridicule. We (too) wondered, why did she put up with that? Apparently at that point she felt it was necessary for her career. Good for her for now refusing to do it. She said in a recent interview that she is now asking of herself, does she enjoy doing something, and only if the answer is yes does she then do it. A lesson for us all…And given her comments, it’s now even more unlikely that it would lead to a pleasant experience…
And then there was Lara’s interview in ‘Le Soir’ magazine, a Belgian publication, translated below (https://www.facebook.com/larafabianitalia/photos/a.1204800096202267.1073741861.164644456884508/1880246151990988/?type=3&theater):
-----------------------------------
Lara Fabian “I’m going to stop being a spinning top”
A new album and a role of coach in the Quebecois version of “The Voice”, what better occasion to confide without ‘Camouflage’?
Since the announcement of the sickness of her mother, and of the ordeal she was going through, Lara Fabian had made herself very discreet. Here she is back with an album in English which, on music inspired by English pop, speaks of Camouflage as a strategy of survival but also, as is often the case with her, of resilience and of the price there is to pay to hope to get there one day. What is not said, on the other hand, is how much the prospect of her role as a coach in the Quebec version of The Voice fills her with happiness. She who, for all her life, has dreamed of nothing else than being a "passer on" of experiences and emotions.
On one of the songs of the album, “Perfect”, you explain that one does not need to be perfect in order to be loved. You didn’t know that already?
LF: The definition of love, it is someone who knows you very, very well but who loves you nevertheless. One doesn’t need to be perfect to be loved. That goes for oneself also. From the moment when we open ourselves to this faculty of loving, even a little bit, even a minute detail of what we are, we open the door to a great love, capable of un-knitting our pain. But that demands a lot of humility, of completely forgetting this egotistic aspect which makes us take pleasure in constantly revisiting our mistakes, to please ourselves. It is only by loving oneself in everything and for all, that one can hope to find someone who will do the same. To be loved even where we do not love ourselves, it's magic and that's what happened to me.
A little more than a year ago, you revealed that your mother was suffering from “dementia of Lewy bodies” and how that impacted your life. Would this album have been able to exist without this test?
LF: Today still, I don’t know if this event has rendered me stronger or weaker. There is a part of me that will never be able to accept what happened to my mother, but there is also a part of me who sees it as an immense lesson, on the taste that life should have at certain moments, on the choices that must absolutely be made, on all these impulses, those moments to which one forbids oneself to taste, when one should not.
We learned a few days ago that you were going to officiate as a coach in the sixth Quebecoise version of “The Voice”. Why this new adventure?
LF: I leave in a few days to install myself in Quebec. I have already found a school for my daughter. We will remain there probably until June of next year. I barely had time to prepare for it but it was a proposal that I simply could not refuse. All my life I’ve tried to be a ferryman [i.e., passer-on]. Old, I always see myself teaching, at the head of my own school of singing. I believe that it is an adventure made for me. I learned so much by doing this job. To sing, it is far from being sufficient, there is always a road to find between one’s art and oneself and those young people who tumble down into the profession, they are so unprepared. I believe it is also an adventure which arrives at a good moment. I am going to continue to write, to compose, to be on stage, but I am going to stop being a spinning top, always to the right and to the left. I have a desire to sit myself down and Quebec, which I love so much, seems to me to be the ideal place for that.
Francesca Caseri.
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So while Lara will only be staying in Quebec through June, she does see herself there in the future (as she’s said many times).
However…perhaps wanting to have it both ways…Lara gave this (translated) interview to CineTele Review in Belgium (https://www.cinetelerevue.be/actus/lara-fabian-je-reviendrai-habiter-un-jour-en-belgique):
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Lara Fabian: "I will come back to live one day in Belgium"
The singer, who no longer lives with us, has just released "Camouflage", her first album in English for more than 10 years.
What made you want to repeat the experience of a record in the language of Shakespeare? The taste of challenge?
LF: No, actually it's in my DNA. I have a grandpa who was born in Chicago. It's a language I've heard since I was a child. I also lived 15 years in Canada. English has always been present in my career. So I did not get up one morning telling myself that I wanted to remake an opus in English. On the other hand, musically, there was a real desire to be connected to what is most contemporary. We must evolve with the time. I came from the 90s, an era of songs with huge deployments, great arrangements. And even though I had a great success with this style of music, today, in terms of orientation, I wanted to go for something more electro-pop. I surrounded myself with a very gifted Swedish team that allowed me to move towards this style that I also listen to.
You lived here in Waterloo. You left Belgium at the end of last year to go to Marbella, Spain. For what reasons?
LF: I wanted to finish writing the album and for that, I needed light. So we left with my family. I sold my villa in Waterloo. But now I go back to Quebec, where I become a coach in the Canadian version of "The Voice", and then there will be the tour. Traveling is the nature of my life. And then I feel that it is the two or three years when it will move enormously. Afterwards, I will ask myself again, especially once Lou enters secondary school. But for now, she follows me wherever I go.
Is it not too difficult for her to change countries like that?
LF: No. She is cool. She's my heroine. In addition, she has an active pedagogy. She's a Montessorian. There are Montessori schools all over the world. And it's great, because it allows her to follow her schooling. After, of course, it's never easy to leave her girlfriends. But she has inherited a little globe-trotting soul ...
You might one day relocate to us?
LF: That's more than likely. Belgium is my roots. When I pass through the doors of Zaventem, my first reflex is to tell myself that I am at home.
------------------------------------------------
Finally, a German interview from an LGBT publication (thanks to the Lara Fabian Web site for the link (https://gay.ch/musik/interview-album-lara-fabian-camouflage-1); here’s the (google) translation:
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INTERVIEW / ALBUM:
Lara Fabian - Camouflage
INTERVIEW / ALBUM: Lara Fabian - Camouflage
Lara Fabian releases her brand new English-language album Camouflage on October 6th. With I Will Love Again, she has captured the charts all over the world. We met the singer / songwriter in Zurich, and she talked to us about her new album and about her hugely big LGBT fan base ...
The Canadian-Belgian hit singer has already sold more than 20 million records worldwide, and has been considered one of the most powerful voices in the music business since her hit I Will Love Again. Eurovision fans may know that Lara Fabian took part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1988, the same year as Celine Dion gave Switzerland the victory. The big career kick came however in the year 2000 with the single I Will Love Again which was immediately on the number one in the US Billboard Hot Dance club play charts and in many countries became a top 10 hit.
gay.ch: I Will Love Again was your first English-language single, which has hit the francophone borders for the first time. Why did you decide to release a single in English?
Lara Fabian: I've wanted to record an English-language album for a long time, which was made possible by the contract with Sony in the USA. Thanks to this deal, the single has finally become internationally famous.
Now you are back with your new album Camouflage with English songs at the start. Is there a plan when a French and when an English album will appear ... And do you have a preference, which language do you prefer to sing?
LF: No, that's the result. Just as it turned out that I recorded a song in Italian. I also have no preferences. I enjoy all languages.
Was it clear from the start that this album should go in a new direction, so pop with electronic sounds?
LF: Yes, so I chose Moh Denebi as an album partner. He was a producer, on the other hand we wrote the songs together. We were in the studio for a month until we've written the songs that fit the album.
Will you also put on club sound, or remixes?
LF: In any event. From the first single "Growing Wings" there is a club remix, produced by Offer Nissim.
What is the content of the new album?
LF: It is about today's time, what is going on around us in this world. I feel it as a very gloomy, difficult time in which we are living.
You've got a lot of fans from the LGBT community ...
LF: Yeah, and I'm very happy about it. I love my LGBT fans above all. For me, love always comes first, no matter what sexual orientation it is. I already wrote the song "La Différence" in 1996, which was about the same-sex love, which was also an "anti-homophobia anthem". Also in 2013, there was a song for the community. "Deux ils, deux elles" was about the marriage between two men and two women and the change in French legislation, that is, the opening of the marriage. In May 2013 the recognition of same-sex marriages was finally achieved in France.
You yourself have a daughter. Is she with you when you are on a promo or on tour?
LF: I have her with me when I go. She is nine and still attends school. We must take this into account ...
From time to time, you are compared to Céline Dion in the press. Does it disturb you?
LF: She is a wonderful singer and I admire her. It does not bother me at all to be compared with her. People now need their drawers to classify someone and we do not just have a similar voice, we both have our roots in Canada. There is an obvious comparison.
Then you would not stand in the way of a duet?
LF: You see that right. She can call me at any time.
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Somehow, neither we, nor Lara, really expect that to happen.
There were some more reviews of the album. First, from Poland (thanks to the Lara Fabian Web site for the link, zblogowani.pl/wpis/24950745/lara-fabian-camouflage-recenzja); here’s the (google) translation:
Lara Fabian "Camouflage" - REVIEW
October 14, 2017 Musical
Born in Belgium, Lara Fabian returns to the international scene with the 13th album CAMOUFLAGE.
The album consists of 12 English-language songs, written and composed by Lara, along with Moh Denebi (Sweden) and Sharon Vaughn (USA).
Moh Denebi is one of the eminent producers from Sweden. He is co-responsible for the album "Heal" by Loreen.
Sharon Vaughn (USA) is an award-winning American composer who has worked with such artists as Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Agnes and Boyzone.
Personally, I remember in 1999, Lara Fabian released "I Will Love Again". The track has become a big hit, and radio stations continue to play it. I like her very much!
Will this time Lara Fabian conquer radio stations with an English-language hit?
Review:
Overall Rating 8/10
1. Growing Wings
The first single to promote the album was # 1 on the album. Released on August 4, the piano ballad announces an album with a different sound than ever before. "Growing Wings" tells the story of someone who has to deal with a long list of trials and failures.
2. Chameleon
More brave and modern sounds. Although Lara's vocals catch both in verses and in the chorus, the electronics seem to dominate. The whole listens nicely, and "Chameleon" has the makings for a great remix, which can be played in most European discos.
3. If I Let You Love Me
The song is pleasant to the ear, but not very much a hit. I miss that power when it's not a ballad.
4. Choose What You Love Most
My favorite song on the album! When I heard it for the first time, it enchanted me. Great text, appropriate mood and brilliant refrain. Great idea for the second single!
5. We Are the Flyers
A quiet ballad with a guitar in the lead role. Perhaps we will hear it on the radio, due to her mood.
So come and hold me tight
Let's chance let’s dance on the wire
Don’t worry cause tonight
Tonight we are the flyers
6. Painting in the Rain
The beginning of the song did announce the appearance of rhythms like "Al Götur beni / Make Me Yours Tonight". A beautiful ballad, with every second gaining momentum.
I'll keep on painting in the rain
Over and over and over again
Making a masterpiece of stains
Painting my heart out
Out in the rain
7. Camouflage
The title song is not a camouflage, but a typical Lara Fabian ballad. But the whole thing sounds very modern. The song is about pain we do not see in others ... because they hide under proper camouflage. The singer wants to draw attention to those who need help, and we sometimes do not see it.
It isn’t funny to see people fall
Where is the humor when they hit the wall
Clowns get ready for their scars and bruises
When they paint that smile on their face
We never see the real, real pain
It hides behind the masquerade
For fear of crowd's applause dies out
If they see a tear roll down
8. I'm Breakable
I was wondering why "I'm Breakable" sounds a bit like a baby song. In the same way, the same singer. Listening to the lyrics, the song gained a lot of significance. It tells us about our weaknesses and sensitivity.
9. Keep the Animals Away
Another song, which is gaining momentum. An extraordinary story of sharing pain and beauty. My second favorite track on the album. I would recommend!
Sharing pain and beauty
Makes us who we are
Leaves us less defenseless
And brave against the dark
If we dare to raise our voices
And circle 'round the flame
Our dance will keep the animals away
10. We Are the Storm
Lots of electronics that does not sound as good as the previous ones.
11. Perfect
"Perfect" tells us that no one is perfect, but that all can give the most beautiful that comes from the heart. Very atmospheric ballad.
You don’t need to be the perfect thing
You don’t have to give me anything
Only all you can give from your heart
You do not need to be the perfect one
You're the closest I will ever come
Oh-oh nobody's perfect at all
Communify
Like the icing on the cake at the very end comes the most hit song from the album. "Communify" is a combination of modern pop, electronics and dance music. I feel that after this song it will suffice...
I did not expect Lara Fabian to release a full English album this year. And yet!
Camouflage combines beautiful Lara vocals with electro-pop, resulting in a modern and timeless album. I missed the last such CD on the European music market.
Due to the few songs I have loved, I will often return to "Camouflage".
I appreciate the album, 8 out of 10!
Although Lara Fabian has already canceled the concert in Krakow twice, during the new concert tour ... will not appear in Poland. Could the Polish fans have offended the Belgian?
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If you remember, Lara cancelled her three concerts for last February in Poland, due to “changes in planning”; and this was after she cancelled her concerts there for May 2016, due to a ‘new opportunity’ (perhaps to work on the English album, although she was the featured guest at the ‘Doudou’ in Mons, Belgium at that same time). Lara’s Team will say that if there is no concert in Poland, it is because promoters have not offered them an acceptable package; but if they don’t, perhaps it’s because they have been disappointed the last few times they did. Nevertheless…this is a good review!
In contrast, here’s a (google translated) review from a German publication (http://www.mucke-und-mehr.de/cgi-bin/rezshow.pl?wert=fabiancamouflage):
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Lara Fabian: Camouflage (CD, Jazzhaus Records, 2017)
Lara Fabian is a great star in the French-speaking world, where, in the 26 years of her career, she has released many pop and chanson albums, with which she almost always reached the top ten of the charts, in France with three number one - prominently, in her birthplace Belgium with six top positions even more successful. The Belgian-Canadian singer and songwriter has already sold over 20 million albums worldwide, although her international career actually only picked up in 2000, when she also released "I Will Love Again" from her first English-language album. In Germany and the USA "Lara Fabian" could land as a small hit. Afterwards her second English-language longplayer was "A Wonderful Life".
After six French albums with their own songs, an attempt is now made to conquer the world, with her third English-language album "Camouflage", her 13th album in total. In 41 minutes you will find twelve pieces, which were developed by the Swedish producer Moh Danebi cleanly. With him and the American songwriter Sharon Vaughn together, nice pop songs have emerged, which can be heard well - but not more. A real earworm like the then "I Will Love Again" is not to be found, and even if everything fits vocal and sound, this time the international breakthrough is probably not going to happen either. The best songs on the album are the chill midtempo number "Growing Wings", the orchestral and the cozy acoustic "We Are The Flyers", for me the best song on the album. In general, Fabian's plays are all the more so, the less the sound of the music is pushed into the background. An album that you can listen to well, but do not have to.
Rating: 6 of 10
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And then a French review from La Parisian Life (http://www.laparisiennelife.com/2017/10/nous-avons-ecoute-le-nouvel-album-en-anglais-de-lara-fabian.html)
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WE LISTENED TO LARA FABIAN'S NEW ALBUM IN ENGLISH!
It is with "Camouflage" a new album all in English that the singer Lara Fabian returns to us a little less than two years after the publication of " Ma vie dans la tienne" which ranked in the Top 5 of the best sales in France and Belgium.
After selling more than 20 million albums worldwide, Lara Fabian has not had much to prove for a long time.
Announced by the title "Growing Wings", "Camouflage" is currently defended by “Choose What You Love Most".
For this 13th studio album which was recorded between Stockholm, Los Angeles and Brussels, Lara Fabian wrote twelve new songs that perfectly mix modernity and tradition and to do so, she is aided by Moh Denebi and Sharon Vaughn who wrote especially for Dolly Parton or for the boy band Boyzone .
Lara's voice combined with electronic and with productions worked with more classical orchestrations gives a timeless and really good record.
Our favorite songs are "Growing Wings", "Chameleon", "If I Let You Love Me", “Keep The Animals Away", "We Are The Storm" and "Communify".
For those who have prejudices about Lara Fabian , we would say to them that with “Camouflage", Lara is not necessarily where she is expected, and that it could surprise more than one in the good sense with this disc .
The artist will perform on June 16, 2018 on the Zenith stage in Paris.
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A shame that they have to continually tell people that Lara should not be stereotyped, but apparently that’s still the case. As Lara recently said, that’s how it is.
And finally (finally!) a review in English from the American publication ‘The Shield’ (https://usishield.com/26500/reviews/fabian-cant-camouflage-her-talent/)
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Fabian can’t ‘Camouflage’ her talent
Sarah Rogers, Features Editor October 10, 2017
Belgian-Canadian singer Lara Fabian released her album “Camouflage” Oct. 6. Having released 13 albums since she released her breakthrough album in 1994, “Camouflage” is only the fifth album Fabian has recorded in English.
Fabian is regarded as the best-selling Belgian female artist of all time but is relatively new to the American music scene.
Mixing classical orchestration, electro-pop and strings, the opposing forces surprisingly blend perfectly.
“Choose What You Love Most (Let It Kill You)” is probably my favorite song on the album. Fabian’s vocal ability is showcased in the song, proving just how powerful and astounding her range is.
The sound reminded me a little of the early years of Celine Dion. Fabian mirrors Dion’s dramatic and emotion-filled work, as well as the use of the more classical instruments.
Can we just talk about how fantastic violins are?
“Growing Wings” shows the diversity of Fabian’s sound. Much more contemporary than “Choose What You Love Most (Let It Kill You),” “Growing Wings” begins with Fabian’s voice and the piano, but quickly turns electronic.
The slow beat and far-away sound of Fabian’s voice give the song a mellow sound, and it stays at the same level pretty much the whole time. “Growing Wings” didn’t have a lot of diversity within the lyrics, and I am not a huge fan of the electro-pop stuff. It was a “meh” song, but her voice made up for what the song lacked.
In Fabian’s interview, “The Making of Camouflage”, Fabian said that while the classical style music should be preserved, the modern electronic sounds need to be utilized as well.
Fabian said that while the process of mixing the two sounds was a different world for her, it was very natural.
“Moe had me sitting, he just asked me to sit and he put a very close capture microphone in front of me,” Fabian said. “ So something that even if you whisper it gets recorded, it gets captured. And the result of that is that I was in my comfort zone most of the time, and it was most of the time effortless which was new to me.”
Fabian’s album is labeled as “pop” but I don’t think that does it justice. I will definitely be listening for more of Fabian’s music in the future.
Rating 3 stars out of 5.
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The comments would have suggested a higher rating, though the reviewer indicated she was not a huge fan of ‘electro-pop’, which is always going to be an issue for some reviewers (and fans). Actually, this is equivalently the same rating as from the German publication above, despite the very different impressions the articles give.
Overall, the impression one gets from reading the reviews already out is that Lara has done a really good job, and that all the different songs are favored by one reviewer or another, an indication of a strong disc up and down the tracklist. The major complaints relate to the choice to do an electro-pop album in the first place rather than power ballads.
In other news, Lara is getting additional publicity in Canada. In an article at (http://w8.maisondelaculture.ca/salle-odyssee/spectacles/varietes/top-passion.html), the Group Top Passion is “putting on a show called 'Cleopatra: le roi est une femme', an original musical comedy by Brigitte Trepanier and Yves Marchand which presents on stage the life of the great queen of Egypt, at the same time rendering homage to one of the great French singers, Lara Fabian. In effect, 13 songs of Lara Fabian will be integrated into the frame of the musical comedy together with 11 original songs of Yves Marchand who composed them for the show.” It will take place October 20 and 21 in ‘Le Maison de la culture’ of Gatineau, in western Quebec. An advertisement for it (thanks to the Lara Fabian est ton autre site) can be seen at:
www.facebook.com/larafabiantonautre/photos/a.646180015435666.1073741861.166959643357708/1466884253365234/?type=3&theater
Interesting ‘photo(s)’ of the week: first Lara’s short of her chic outfit on both Instagram and Twitter, with the caption “Look "Camouflage", at
http://instagram.com/p/BaMF7d3HWXH
or
And one of the best pictures of the year, taken from the Photo issue of the Swiss 'LeMatin.ch' (linked from the Lara Fabian Web site)
www.facebook.com/larafabianweb/photos/a.839662216049315.1073741827.246805652001644/1929273147088211/?type=3&theater
Then from the Freebirds Studio picture of Santina Vaccalluzzo, Lara with her Hair and Makeup people, at
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1587410851298072&set=a.1587410817964742.1073741982.100000875187644&type=3&theater
His artistic photo of Lara, seen at www.mw-encheres.com/html/fiche.jsp?id=7986026&np=1&lng=fr&npp=150&ordre&aff=1&r, will go on sale in Paris on 10/21. In addition, this coming week, Lara’s appearance on the “50 Preferred Songs of the French” will appear on French TV M6. Undoubtedly there will be more publicity for La Voix in Quebec – and hopefully for the new album as well! It might be the case that Lara’s Team has to make sure she doesn’t get so carried away with this new TV and teaching ‘adventure’ that the album gets lost in the shuffle! And it would be nice to see some promotion now in the U.S. as well. We’ll also find out how the album does in its second week on the French and Belgian charts, still her home base, even, apparently, for English songs.
David
